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Why AGF Malami Must Not Soil His Reputation, Governorship Ambition
By Adamu Sani, Public Affairs commentator
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami remains a man who divides opinions. However, in spite of the differing opinions, everyone will agree that the AGF has done a sound job in defending Nigeria and staying true to the course of justice in his dealings in his hallowed position.
This is despite the overwhelming challenges faced by the country on different fronts: political, security and even in the face of huge external or international influences.
I have decided to expose, amongst other few cases, this particular case which is very laughable and capable of eroding the credibility of our institutions. We all know the main reasons why we cannot attract substantial foreign investment into the country is our erratic forex rate and very weak legal system. Malami stands the risk of damaging his hard-earned reputation over a particular case that has lingered in the courts since 2016. Having followed this case over the years, it is clear that the man at the centre of the storm, one Mr. Benjamin Joseph, alleged owner of an Ibadan-based ICT company – Citadel Oracle Concepts Ltd and an Igbo man, is taking advantage of the AGF’s simple nature to pull a mischievous stunt which may end up ruining Malami’s reputation, Nigeria’s legal system and making nonsense of the position of the Police in our society as the protector of law and order in the country. If the Inspector General of Nigeria Police is of no consequence, then the entire Nigeria Police Force is ruined.
Currently, the said Benjamin Joseph is facing a criminal trial instituted by the Inspector-General of the Nigerian Police which has dragged on for years and for which he has refused to appear in court to defend himself. Instead, he has come up with a ruse to hoodwink AGF Malami to discontinue the case, thereby evading justice and using this as a leverage for other civil cases for which he is seeking damages unjustifiably.
Already, Malami has, on two occasions, taken over this case before reinstating it and asking the Police to continue with the prosecution of the accused, Benjamin Joseph. But recently, specifically on January 18, 2022, a legal officer from the Federal Ministry of Justice, armed with a letter from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF) on behalf of the AGF, announced his appearance to take over the case, with the intention of discontinuing same. It is worthy to note that this is the third time this had happened in same case in same court, following each petition by Benjamin Joseph. But on each of those occasions, the Honourable AGF would recant his decision and reinstated the prosecution of Mr. Joseph by the Police prosecutor on behalf of the Inspector-General of the Police.
One of the worst fails in a democracy is to see people flagrantly cheat the system or evade justice. In the case of Benjamin Joseph, AGF Malami, perhaps innocently, may end up rubbishing his years of exceptional service to the nation and a potential smooth run to the Kebbi governorship seat, by unknowingly aiding a man who should have his day in court to defend a case which he reported to the Police highest command and is now afraid to defend. Such questionable events should not be allowed to continue in our legal system.
AGF Malami should refer to a connected case in Charge No. CR/244/2018: Fed. Republic of Nigeria Vs. Princess Kama and Chief Onny Igbokwe, before Honourable Justice Senchi, a distinguished Judge of the FCT High Court following a similar petition by the said Benjamin Joseph to the Vice President of Nigeria who endorsed it for investigation by the EFCC. On February 24, 2021, Justice Senchi delivered judgement in the case, discharging and acquitted the said two defendants. In the judgement, the court dismissed the complaint of Citadel Oracle Concepts Ltd on the merit of the case as false. The court also awarded the sum of Twenty Million Naira(N20m) as damages against Mr. Benjamin Joseph, the MD of Citadel Oracle Concepts Ltd, for giving false information to the Vice President and the EFCC (same false information he gave to the Police for which he is facing criminal charges). The Honourabe Judge in the said judgment stated that the award of N20m as damages is to serve as a deterrence against persons who would indulge in false petitioning. This loudly vindicates the case of the Police against Mr. Benjamin Joseph. It is worthy to note that while the above case was going on Mr. Benjamin Joseph on many occasions refused to attend court to defend his claims because he was afraid to face cross-examination which would expose him.
The background of this long-drawn case, which the said Benjamin Joseph has made Malami erroneously intervene in, thrice, stems from a 2012 credit sale of HP laptops by Technology Distributions Limited (TD Africa) to Citadel Oracle Concepts Limited through its authorised representatives, Princess Kama and Chief Onny Igbokwe, for delivery to the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS). To avert diversion and previous unsavory experiences by beneficiary debtors, TD had insisted that the credit sale would be secured by the opening of a bank account into which the proceeds of the contract would be paid into, while also appointing its staff to be part of the signatories to the bank account into which the end-user would pay the money for the laptops supplied on credit.
Consequently, TD had nominated two of its staff, Mr. Chris Eze Ozims (Company Secretary) and Mrs. Shade Oyebode (then Executive Director) to be signatories to both accounts after both companies accordingly opened an account with Access Bank on December 20, 2012, with a Board resolution duly signed on December 18, 2012 by Benjamin Joseph on behalf of Citadel Oracle Concepts Ltd. After payment was made by the FIRS, TD deducted the pre-agreed invoice sum of the laptops supplied on credit. It is instructive to note, from the facts of this case, that the company extended the same credit gesture to other resellers, apart from Citadel Oracle Concepts Ltd.
After a disagreement with Princess Kama, one of his representatives, over the sharing formula, Benjamin Joseph turned around to petition the Nigerian Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Milverton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, alleging that his company was fraudulently used without his knowledge to do contract with FIRS and no computers were supplied. He also claimed its board resolution was also forged to open Account for the execution of the FIRS contract. Investigations conducted by the SFU, after the board resolution was sent for forensic analysis, proved that the document was not forged, while also revealing that the HP laptops were indeed supplied to FIRS, and that TD was entitled to receive payment of products it has supplied on credit. FIRS also confirmed with documentary proof that Mr. Benjamin Joseph was aware of the contract and personally authorized his representative Princess Kama. Consequently, the SFU report absolved TD of any criminal liabilities.
From there, Joseph petitioned the Force (CID) Headquarters, Abuja, then headed by Mr. Solomon Arase. After investigating and reconfirming the authenticity of the forensic analysis report which had confirmed that he (Benjamin Joseph) actually signed the board resolution which he had alleged was forged, as well as the fact that the HP laptops were supplied, the IGP charged Mr. Benjamin Joseph to court for knowingly giving the Police a misleading (false) information in CHARGE NO. CR/216/16: INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE vs. BENJAMIN JOSEPH at the FCT High Court, Abuja, Nigeria, before Honourable Justice Peter Kekemeke.
Since then, Joseph has, over the years, petitioned other security agencies including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as well as the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo amid recent fresh petitions to the Inspector General of Police in 2020, which was also dismissed on the grounds of earlier outcomes of investigations by the authorities, all in a bid to artfully dodge his day in court and a full-on cross examination on his many claims. In other instances, he had claimed that the Federal Government was defrauded over the laptop supply, while attempting to rope in the Chairman of the Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh and his wife, Mrs. Chioma Ekeh, all in a bid for possible extortion, among other artful tactics to deflect attention from his ongoing trial.
Two civil cases are pending on the hearing stage over the gimmicks of Mr. Joseph who, often times, embarks on dramatic acts of rolling on the floor in court or other public offices in order to falsely curry sympathy. However, one of the principles of law behoves on the one who alleges to prove his claims. If he has a water-tight case or has nothing to hide, why is Joseph afraid to open his defence long after the prosecution had closed its case? It is instructive to know that after the prosecution closed its case in 2018, Mr. Benjamin Joseph filed a ‘No Case’ submission, which the court heard but ruled against him, stating that the prosecution had made out a prima facie case against him. The court directed him to open his defence since 2018. But instead of opening his defence, he has been running around government agencies, including the esteemed office of the AGF to take over the case, dismiss the charge and acquit him. Is that how a legal system should function?
AGF Malami should allow this long-drawn case to run its full course in order to avoid a miscarriage of justice – an act capable of tarnishing his unblemished reputation. The Police should be allowed to conclude a trial they began since 2016.
This week, three top football players of Nigerian origin who have played in the National Football League (NFL), also known as the American Professional Football League, will be guests on the Glo sponsored Cable News Network magazine show, African Voices Changemakers.
Three football players, Christian Emeka Okoye, Kenneth Odumegwu, and Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi, are featuring in the personality interview program.
Okoye was born on August 16, 1961, and was known as “the Nigerian Nightmare” while he was a fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL from 1987 to 1992.
He had an NFL rushing champion title in 1989, first-team All-Pro honours in 1989 and second-team All-Pro honours in 1991, two Pro Bowl appearances in 1989 and 1991, and three post-season appearances during his successful six-season NFL career. He was well-known for his explosive running abilities and ability to break tackles.
He mentored Ndubuisi and Odumegwu, among others, and is credited with helping to shape the future of many professional American football stars. In 2000, he was admitted to the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame.
Odumegwu, on the other hand, is a Nigerian professional linebacker who plays defensive end for the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL. He was born in Lagos on November 29, 2000.
Before attempting American football in 2022, he played basketball and soccer while attending the National Open University of Nigeria.
He started his professional career with the Green Bay Packers in 2023 as a member of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program (IPPP).
Ndubuisi, the NFL’s defensive lineman for the Washington Commanders, turned 24 on October 15.
He joined the NFL through the International Player Pathway (IPP) program and has played for the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL), the Denver Broncos, and the Arizona Cardinals.
Scouting for gifted athletes to teach American football skills, the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program has been at the forefront.
The programme airs on Saturday 8.30a.m. on CNN Channel 401 with repeats at 12.00p.m. same day; Sunday 4.30a.m., 7.00p.m and Monday 4.00a.m. The same edition will be repeated on Saturday 8.30a.m., 12 noon and on Sunday at 4.30a.m., 7.00p.m. and 4.00a.m. on Monday.
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Halilu’s Next One Year in Office: NASENI to Upscale Commercialization of Technologies, Products
By Chinyere Obiora-Ekwuazi, Henry Ukwadia, Hadiza Abdul Abubakar
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) was strategically established in 1992 as the only purpose-built intervention agency of the Federal Government, having the mandate of nurturing an appropriate and dynamic science and engineering infrastructure base for achieving home-initiated and home-sustained industrialization of Nigeria.
Without the application of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), it is difficult for any nation to optimize the benefits of her possession of both human and material resources. Against this background, NASENI has continued to make giant strides in Nigeria’s technological landscape through its eleven (11) Development Institutes, each contributing to the development of STI for economic development of the nation. Nevertheless this is not without some attendant challenges ranging from funding to human capacity building and development.
However, the Agency heaved a sigh of relief when in September 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed a young, energetic technopreneur, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu who has brought to bear his wealth of experience from the private sector to administer NASENI, giving it a new result-based orientation with market in focus.
On assumption of office, he set his goal of transforming the Agency, saying he would make it a central player in Nigeria’s technology revolution by adopting, adapting and domesticating cutting-edge technologies. To build a national brand, going forward, every household in Nigeria will have one NASENI product or the other.
Today, NASENI stands as hope for Nigeria’s indigenous technological advancement, aligning with its core mission of fostering needed dynamic science and engineering Infrastructure for national progress. The Agency under Halilu has articulated a bold vision and promoted shared management-staff philosophy hinged on 3Cs principles of Creation, Collaboration and Commercialization to fuel Nigeria’s innovation and sustainable future.
This approach has indeed opened more doors to result-oriented NASENI partnerships with both national and international corporate communities to foster EVC/CEO’s commitment toward the commercialization of NASENI’s products. In just one year, KSH as he is fondly called, spearheaded unprecedented collaborations cutting across many sectors with local and international partners in both public and private sectors, resulting in numerous groundbreaking agreements, making his vision for viable commercialization and rolling out innovative products for public consumption.
Briefing newsmen recently in Abuja, in commemoration of his one year in office, Mr. Halilu reiterated his resolve to make NASENI “the number One Technology Transfer Agency in the country.” This stems from his earlier promise in 2023 to take NASENI products from the shelves to the market. So far, not less than 36 products from NASENI are already in the corporate market.
During the media briefing, he disclosed the plans to have a showroom where people can walk in and buy NASENI products in retail, explaining that there are already plans to this effect. Halilu further noted that all the products of the Agency developed in the last one year are products of collaborations with strategic partners and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) with local content inputs.
The Agency has in the past one year introduced about 36 market-ready products which includes Solar Irrigation pumps, electric cars (EV), Android Smartphone, Solar Home System, Smart Prepaid Meters, Power Stove, Hatchbox, Pick-Up vehicle, Power Storage, Car Battery, Laptop, CCTV, Solar Street Lamp, Solar Wall Light, Electric Tricycle, Mobile Science kit, amongst others.
In addition, NASENI has established one of Nigeria’s largest CNG reverse engineering centre at Utako in Abuja to help Nigeria save cost on fuel products as well as cut fossil fuel emission in line with the SDGs on renewable energy. Also, under one year in office, the NASENI EVC/CEO made sure that the Agency carried out several administrative reform initiatives, such as Rebranding the Agency’s vision; introduced a new vision for NASENI’s brand identity, reposition NASENI with the 3Cs, increased NASENI’s valued investments to USD3.25 billion and launched the accelerated Technology Transfer Framework.
The initiatives also included the development of the Agency’s 2023-2027 strategic launchpad, reformed NASENI’s governance structure, enhanced staff welfare, established an Innovative Hub at NASENI HQ, launched Hatch Box for STEM education, digitalized Agency services and operations and positioned the Agency as Nigeria’s technology transfer agency, provided policy recommendations and contributing to economic growth, reduced dependency on imports and promoted domestic production.
Having attained these milestones, NASENI now is focusing on innovations and homegrown solutions that will contribute to the Agency’s job creation drive and the growth of the economy. Hence the mandate of NASENI to support the diversification of the Nigerian economy and strengthen the Agency’s position in the global technology and manufacturing landscape remain viable options through its accelerated technology transfer initiatives.
Moreso, NASENI has mapped out strategic plans that will upscale commercialization of the Agency’s technologies and products and drive the Nigeria economy in 2025. Some of these upcoming projects include; NASENI Renewable Industrial Park, MTS (spare parts support), NASENI Holding Company, NASENI Technologies Limited, NASENI Asset Recovery, CGIWC – Land awarded, Lekki FTZ Partnership, Vehicles refurbishment, Small arms assembly, Ammunition production, NASENI Innovation Hub, NASENI Xceler8, Future-Makers by NASENI – 2025, NASENI Public Challenge – 2025, Global Return Programme – 2025, DELT-Her v2.0 – 2025, NASENI Governing Council and NASENI Campus. All these are geared towards economic growth, job and wealth creation for Nigerians.
Multichoice Group, South African Pay-TV operator, has announced that it has written off N31.6 billion ($21 million) in cash that was held with the recently liquidated Heritage Bank.
A write-off is the decision decision by a company or government to accept that they will never recover a debt or an amount of money that has been spent on something.
The company made this disclosure in its financial results for the six months ending September 30, 2024.
Earlier, in its FY 2024 annual report released in June, the group had reported a deposit of N33.7 billion with the bank as of March 31, 2024, the end of the fiscal year.
However, following cash remittances made before the bank’s liquidation on June 3, 2024, the balance was adjusted to N31.6 billion.
“Following the revocation of Heritage Bank’s banking licence by the Central Bank of Nigeria on 3 June 2024 and its subsequent liquidation, the group wrote off its receivable relating to the cash held with the bank,” Multichoice stated in a note to the $21 million listed as part of its operating losses for the half-year under review.
The Group reported that the continued depreciation of the naira against the US dollar led to additional foreign exchange losses on non-quasi equity loans, particularly on the USD-denominated intergroup loan from MultiChoice Africa Holdings B.V. to MultiChoice Nigeria Limited.
Despite these challenges, the Group successfully repatriated some funds from its Nigerian operations to its headquarters, although the amount was lower compared to the previous year.
“The group extracted USD65 million from Nigeria in the period (1H FY24: USD91 million) at an average rate of NGN1,516:USD (1H FY24: NGN794:USD), incurring extraction losses of USD1 million or ZAR20 million (1H FY24: USD28 million or ZAR518m) in the process.
“The group held USD11 million in cash in Nigeria at period-end, down from USD39 million at end FY24, a consequence of consistent focus on remitting cash, the impact of translating the balance at the weaker naira and the write-off of the USD21 million receivable relating to the cash held with Heritage Bank before its license was revoked and the bank was liquidated,” it stated.
After the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), revoked Heritage Bank’s banking license on June 3, 2024, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), was appointed as the liquidator.
The NDIC has since begun paying insured deposits, with a maximum coverage of N5 million per depositor.
While Multichoice initially stated in June that it would work with the NDIC to ensure a reasonable outcome regarding its funds in the liquidated bank, its deposit exceeds the maximum amount insured by the NDIC.
Recently, the NDIC announced that it is actively working to ensure that depositors with amounts exceeding the N5 million insurance limit are compensated through liquidation dividends generated from the sale of the defunct bank’s assets.
The Corporation also confirmed that it has begun efforts to recover debts and liquidate investments and physical assets from the bank to facilitate timely reimbursement for uninsured depositors.
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